Purpose

Ask Google to update a stale page description, cached information, or image result after the source website has removed or changed the content.

Applicable policy and verification date

Google directs users to Refresh Outdated Content when a source no longer shows the information but Search still displays old content. Verified 2026-10-17. (Removal overview; refresh instructions)

Audience

Anyone observing a stale Google Search result after a source change; the tool is not a substitute for asking a live source to remove content.

Before you begin

Open the source. Confirm the reported text/image is absent or the page is unavailable. If the information is still present, return to the decision tree.

Prerequisites

  • Source has changed, deleted the content, or no longer resolves as before.
  • Correct page or image Search URL is available.
  • A Google Account can be used for the tool/status page where required.

Required inputs and evidence

For a web page, the page URL. For an image, Google’s instructions require the link address copied from the image search result. Record the current source state and date for troubleshooting.

Procedure: web page

  1. Open Refresh Outdated Content.
  2. Select Request refresh.
  3. On the Page tab, enter the URL with the outdated content.
  4. Select Submit.
  5. Use the tool’s status view to monitor the request.

Procedure: image

  1. Open Google Images, find the image, and copy the image result link address as Google instructs.
  2. In Refresh Outdated Content, select New request, then Image.
  3. Paste the copied Search result link into the requested field.
  4. Select Submit and monitor status.

Expected result

Google re-evaluates the stale result against the changed source. This updates Google’s representation; it does not remove live content from a website.

Next steps

If the source still exposes the information, use Submit a policy-based request or Contact a website owner.

Troubleshooting and exceptions

  • Use the exact affected URL, not a homepage.
  • A page that still displays the text is not outdated merely because its date is old.
  • Site owners who changed their own page may wait for recrawl; Google states they do not have to use this form.

Official references

Policy review record

  • Last policy review: 2026-10-17
  • Documentation version: 1.0.0